LAHORE: The calm waters of River Sutlej turned into a forceful torrent Thursday morning as the river swelled to a medium flood level.
Authorities have issued a warning of an imminent rise in water levels, further exacerbating the situation. Inflow measurements taken at Ganda Singh Wala, a border village in Kasur district, registered a staggering 114,260 cusecs, leaving no room for complacency.
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) had previously cautioned about the likelihood of a medium to high flood in the Sutlej area. Several villages in Kasur and Okara are now submerged while officials claim to be tirelessly engaged in rescue operations. However, their efforts seem inadequate to safeguard precious human lives, according to the local media.
Meanwhile, the water level at Sulemanki Headworks, situated near Okara, continues to surge. Both inflow and outflow at this critical junction currently stand at 62,118 cusecs, intensifying the urgency of the situation. Consequently, the surging deluge has started encroaching upon settlements lining the riverbanks, causing widespread devastation to standing crops and compelling residents to evacuate in search of safety.
Despite assertions made by the administration regarding their preparedness, local inhabitants assert that government officials are conspicuously absent from the area. Consequently, they find themselves left to their own devices, compelled to relocate to safer regions without any assistance or guidance from the authorities.
The current state of affairs highlights the dire need for immediate and effective intervention by the government. The affected communities urgently require the provision of emergency relief, including shelter, food, and medical aid. Furthermore, the government must swiftly deploy trained personnel and resources to the affected regions, ensuring the timely evacuation of endangered residents and preventing further loss of life.
🔔این ڈی ایم اے کی پہلے سے جاری کردہ پیشگوئی کیمطابق ہریکے تا فیروز پور اور گنڈا سنگھ والا میں پانی کے بہاؤ میں گزشتہ 24 گھنٹوں کے دوران اضافہ ریکارڈ کیا گیا ہے. جبکہ اگلے 24 گھنٹوں کے دوران بھی یہی صورتحال متوقع ہے.
@PdmapunjabO@GovtofPakistan@MoIB_Official— NDMA PAKISTAN (@ndmapk) July 12, 2023
